Timing, hosts and locations of (grouped) events of NanoImpactNet

NanoSafetyCluster - Compendium 2012
4. Improvement of analytical detection and labeling systems
State-of-the-art: Existing analytical methods have detection limits
that are too high to be able to reliably detect low concentrations
of ENPs, despite their large surface area conferring a chemical
reactivity equivalent to that of a much greater mass concentration
of chemically identical, but larger-sized particles. Due to these
limitations and challenges, which we face today when working
with different ENP characterization techniques, almost nothing is
known on the mobility of ENPs in natural environments.
Progress: NanoValid will develop new approaches to increase
precision and reproducibility of current analytical detection
systems designed for nanomaterials at low concentration in
biological and environmental samples, including methods to
determine their chemistry, size and morphology, e.g. by advanced
secondary electron and optical imaging and spectroscopic
techniques. By using these improvements, NanoValid will also
assess the applicability of a new system of respiratory exposure
assessment that is based on mathematical turbulence models.
State-of-the-art: Also information on reliability and comparability
of current biodistribution and bioaccumulation data of
nanoparticles is scarce and severely affected by many factors, such
as the status of tested nanomaterials, the labelling methods used
and sample preparation from animal organs/tissues, which calls for
standardized protocols for ENPs labelling, tracing and
quantification.
Progress: NanoValid will develop reliable sample preparation and
isotope (radiogenic and stable) labeling protocols for selected
ENMs, and related analytical protocols for reliably
detecting/tracing various ENPs in different animal organs/tissues.
3 Scope and objectives
The main objective of NanoValid is the development of a set of
reliable reference methods and materials, including methods for
dispersion control and the labeling of ENMs. Based on a
comprehensive and critical literature and data survey, the most
suitable test materials and methods are currently selected and
tested, and new nanomaterials will be synthesized, characterized
and stabilized for final method validation.
Already existing industrial or newly designed nanomaterials
(ENMs) will be submitted to a comprehensive inter-laboratory
validation campaign that includes the currently most advanced
methods and instruments for measuring and characterizing of
ENMs, to generate accurate and reproducible material data and
standardized method protocols, also for labeling, tracing and
quantifying of nanoparticles in relation to their size/size
distribution, morphology, material identification and other
standard physicochemical (pc) properties. The stability and
behavior of selected ENPs will be monitored and tested in a variety
of relevant biological and environmental samples and test media
under both normal and extreme conditions to derive optimum and
reproducible fabrication, measurement and test conditions.
The validated pc methods derived from the extensive
intercalibration and inter-comparison of selected methods and
materials will be used to design well-defined reference materials,
which in turn will be employed to validate, and where necessary
adapt, modify and further develop current biological approaches
(in vitro, in vivo and in silico) for assessing the toxicity of ENMs and
associated risks to human health and the environment. The effects
of chronic exposure and of exposure under real-life conditions,
where ENPs are likely to act as components of complex mixtures
will be taken into account. Finally, appropriate reference methods
will be established based on the validated pc and biological
methods and their applicability assessed to a variety of industrially
relevant ENMs by means of case studies.
Specific objectives are to:
(1) Test, compare and validate current methods to measure and
characterize physicochemical properties of selected ENMs
(2) Monitor and control their dispersion and stability in various test
media and environmental matrices by novel labeling methods
(3) Generate panels of well-characterized and reproducibly
synthesized ENMs, engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and
associated products, designed for further (eco-) toxicological
testing
(4) Test, compare and validate current in vitro and in vivo methods
(for toxicity and ecotoxicity testing) to early identify potential
hazards, assess human health effects, including acute and chronic
toxicity (oral, inhalation, dermal), and effects to the environment
(5) Develop a standard test panel according to the mode of action
and interaction of ENMs and ENPs with experimental media as
used in OECD and other standardized tests
(6) Identify responsive biomarkers for potential cytotoxic,
genotoxic and immunotoxic effects
(7) Develop further validated methods and materials to reference
methods and materials, including Certified Reference Materials
(CRMs), for more reliable risk and life cycle assessment (RA and
LCA)
(8) Demonstrate feasibility of validated and established reference
methods by means of case studies to assess and improve the
performance of methods and systems both during normal
operations and for management of accidental risks, evaluation of
risk reduction strategies and field detection systems, and for
monitoring hazard and exposure to ENPs
(9) Establish a database on hazard properties of selected ENPs that
could be used to support the REACH hazard assessment system
(10) Build a comprehensive knowledge hub and database to
improve existing models on transport and fate of ENPs in the
environment, including bioaccumulation, persistence,
bioavailability and life cycle impacts onto all forms of biota
(11) Initiate and support focused efforts to achieve international
standardization in cooperation with national (e.g. DIN) and
international (e.g. OECD WGMN) organizations.
4 Technical approach and work description
NanoValid’s overall strategy is based on (1) a comprehensive and
critical review of the existing scientific literature and of relevant
material databases, and on (2) a rigorous intercalibration campaign
including outstanding test laboratories in Europe and world-wide
that participate in the project, to compare and validate current
methods and test schemes that have been developed for hazard
208 Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster